Jacket construction for underwater diving garment and making the same

ABSTRACT

An underwater jacket that may be made in several different sizes using the same or substantially identical panel sections and other panel sections of varying dimension to control jacket size, comprising back, chest and a pair of kidney panels, said back and chest panels being identical or substantially the same for all sizes of garment, said kidney panels being cut to varying widths depending on the size of jacket desired. An underwater jacket that may be made in several different sizes using the same or substantially identical panel sections and certain other panel sections of selected and varying dimension to control garment size, comprising back, chest and kidney panels; and a pair of sleeves, each sleeve made from a pair of panel sections, both panel sections extending the full length of the sleeve and joined together by a pair of spaced seams, the width of one panel section being selected to fix the arm size of the jacket, said one panel section including an integral shoulder strip extending to the neckline of said garment and joined by seams to said chest and back panels, the other panel section of each sleeve being joined to said back and chest panels with seams extending around the armpit of the jacket.

[4 1 July 10, 1973 JACKET CONSTRUCTION FOR UNDERWATER DIVING GARMENT AND MAKING THE SAME [76] Inventor: CarlT.Rector,2408 Meadow Lane, Eureka, Calif. '95 501 [22] Filed: Sept. 9, 1971 [21] Appl. N0.: 179,213

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 874,308, Nov. 5, 1969,

abandoned.

52 us. c1. 2/2.1 R, 2/243 R, 2/1'25,

2/93,2/D1G. 4 51 1m. 01 A62b 17/00 [58] Field of Search 2/125, 93, 115, 2.1 R,

2/73, 74, 10s, 90, 243 R, 243 B, DIG. 4

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,659,890 11/1953 Revolta 2193 452,179 5/1891 Eighmie 2/125 1,714,491 5/1929 Burr 2/115 3,255,459 6/1966 Way.... 2/2.l R 3,108,284 10/1963 Reed 2/93 3,246,337 4/1966 Copeland 2/2.l R 3,366,974 2/1968 Gwynn 2/93 1,799,572 4/1931 Sweeny... 2/125 X 2,935,748 5/1960 Sabo 2/2.l R

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 855,532 11/1952 Germany 2/90 399,810 8/1924 Germany 2/93 1,182,929 1/1959 France 2/243 B Primary Examiner-George H. Krizmanich Att0mey-Eckhoff & Hoppe 57] 1 ABSTRACT An underwater jacket that may be made in several different sizes using the same or substantially identical panel sections and other panel sections of varying dimension to control jacket size, comprising back, chest and a pair of kidney panels, said back and chest panels being identical or substantially the same for all sizes of garment, said kidney panels being cut to varying widths depending on the size of jacket desired.

An underwater jacket that may be made in several ditTerent sizes using the same or substantially identical panel sections and certain other panel sections of selected and varying dimension to control garment size, comprising back, chest and kidney panels; and a pair of sleeves, each sleeve made from a pair of panel sections, both panel sections extending the full length of the sleeve and joined together by a pair of spaced seams, the width of one panel section being selected to fix the arm size of the jacket, said one panel section including an integral shoulder strip extending to the neckline of said garment and joined by seams to said chest and back panels, the other panel section of each sleeve being joined to said back and chest panels with seams extending around the armpit of the jacket.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Pmmtmuuoma 3.744.052 I manorz INVENTOR.

I am I mm {MM/{MM ATTOKNEV5 INVENTOR.

ATToKNEVs CARL I RECTOK JACKET CONSTRUCTION FOR UNDERWATER DIVING GARMENT AND MAKING THE SAME CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 874,308 filed Nov. 5, 1969, now abandoned.

This invention relates to the construction of jackets and more particularly to a jacket which may be manufactured economically in several different sizes, using many of the same pattern cuts. The invention has par ticular application to the construction of a jacket for an underwater garment such as a wetsuit.

Although there is considerable interest in the sport of spear fishing and, more generally in underwater diving, the cost of manufacturing garments, such as a wetsuit, remains extremely high. One reason for the high cost is that each garment is currently made to the measurements of a particular person to insure proper fit; and, inasmuch as the cost of materials and manufacturing techniques is high, it is not advisable to manufacture and stock underwater jackets on speculation that they will fit some future customer.

The present invention is based on a discovery that underwater jackets in various sizes may be manufacturd at substantially lower costs by using'particular cuts and patterns of the same or substantially identical size and by using complementary patterns of varying size to produce a particular jacket size. In brief, the present invention teaches an underwater jacket construction which utilizes the same or substantially identical panels for all jacket sizes and certain other panel or panel sections of selected and varying dimension to control garment size. More particularly, the jacket comprises a back panel having integrally formed neck, shoulder and spinal portions; a pair of chest panels, each panel extending from a neck seam to the waist and from a front center edge to a side seam; and a pair of kidney panels, each connected to one shoulder portion and the spinal portion of the back panel by a continuous seam. Each kidney panel is also connected to the chest panel at a side seam extending downward from a point beneath the armpit of the jacket, the side width of each kidney panel being selected to fix the jacket size while the back and chest panels are substantially identical for all garment sizes. The sleeve size of each jacket is also fixed by a novel construction wherein each sleeve is made from a pair of panel sections cut on an angular bias. The expression a pair of panel sections cut on an angular bias as used herein refers to those material cuts which, when the sleeve is formed from the panel sections, will not lie parallel to the sleeve axis; but, rather, will exhibit a helical like wrap about at least a portion of the sleeve. Both panel sections extend the full length of the sleeve and are joined together by a pair of spaced, helical like seams which extend along the full length of the sleeve. The width of one panel being selected to fix the arm size of the jacket and including an integral shoulder strip extending to the neckline of the garment. The two panel sections are connected to the chest and back panels by seams, the panel section of fixed size being joined to the back and chest panels with seams that extend around the armpit of the jacket. The purpose of the angular bias cut of the sleeve panel sections and the helical like, full sleeve lenght seam construction is to insure a more natural sleeve conformation to the humanarm.

It will be understood therefore, that one of the principal objects of this invention is to provide an underwater jacket construction that may be made in several different sizes using the same or substantially identical panel sections and certain other panel sections of selected and varying dimension to control garment size.

Another object is to provide a jacket construction of the kind described which may be economically made in a range of sizes from basic panel sections of identical shape and size.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a jacket construction of the kind described wherein the back and chest panels for each jacket are identical or substantially the same for all garment sizes, a pair of kidney panels being cut to a varying width depending on the size of jacket desired.

And yet a further object of this invention is to provide an underwater jacket construction of the kind described, each comprising a pair of sleeves, each sleeve made from a pair of panels cut on an angular bias and extending the full length of the sleeve and joined together by a pair of spaced seams extending along the full length of the sleeve in helical like fashion the width of one panel being selected to fix the arm size of the jacket and including an integral shoulder strip extending to the neckline of the garment.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a jacket construction that may be economically manufactured to a particular fit and size for use as an underwater garment.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent in the view of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings forming a part of this application and in which like parts are identified by like reference numerals throughout the same,

' FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment in a jacket made from panels as contemplated by this invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the jacket;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the jacket;

FIG. 4 is a pattern and plan layout for each panel section required in the manufacture of the garment; nd

FIG. 5 is a perspective and exploded view of the various panel sections arranged relative to each other to indicate the manner of assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a jacket 10 formed of sponge rubber material and assembled from panel sections as contemplated by this invention. Jacket 10 essentially comprises a back panel 11, a pair of right and left chest panels 12 and 13 and a pair of right and left kidney panels 14 and 15. In addition, jacket 10 is formed with a pair of sleeves, each sleeve comprising right and left pairs of panel sections 16, I7 and l8, 19 respectively.

Each pair of chest panels 12 and 13, and each pair of kidney panels 14 and 15 may be a duplicate of its pair; and panel sections 18 and 19 may be duplicates of panel sections 16 and 17, respectively. If cut from a fabric having right and wrong sides, however, one panel is cut as the mirror image of the panel forming its pair (or counterpart panel section on the opposite sleeve).

Referring to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a preferred plan arrangement or pattern for cutting out a back panel, one chest panel, one kidney panel and the panel sections for one sleeve of the jacket. The same pattern may be used for cutting out a second chest panel, kidney panel and sleeve panels, assuming that there are no right and wrong sides to the garment. It will be understood, of course, that the pattern should be reversed of flopped over for cutting chest, kidney and sleeve panels on the opposite side of the jacket in a construction made from those fabrics having right and wrong sides, as for example, a fabric having sides of different colors or texture.

Jackets may be assembled in various sizes using identical back panels 11 and chest panels 12 and 13. It is only necessary to provide minor dimensional changes in kidney panels 14 and 15 and sleeve panel sections 16 and 18. The dimensional changes required are those indicated by broken line in FIG. 4. Thus, it is economically feasible to precut and stock quantities of back panels, chest panels and sleeve panels 17 and 19 and, then, rapidly assemble jackets of various sizes upon receipt of orders. Furthermore, only minor variations need be made in cutting sleeve sections 16 and 18 and kidney panels 14 and 15 to accommodate all essential variations in jacket size; and these changes can be made by trimming stock material cut for the largest jacket contemplated.

The construction of jacket is more particularly distinguished in providing a continuous back panel, having integrally formed neck, shoulder and spinal portions, indicated by reference numbers 11a, 11b and 11c, respectively. Each chest panel extends from a neck seam 20 to the waistline 21 and from a front center edge 22 to a side seam 23; and kidney panels 14 and are each connected to one shoulder portion 11 b and spinal portion 1 1c of the back panel with a continuous seam 24. Kidney panels 14 and 15 are also connected to the chest panels at side seams 23 which extend downward from point beneath the armpit of the jacket. If effect, the width of kidney panels 14 and 15 are selected to control the basic size and fit of the jacket.

The pairs of panel sections 16, 17 and 18, 19 which form the sleeves extend the full length of the arm, each pair of panels being joined by a pair of spaced seams 25 and 26. Panel sections 16 and 18 include integral shoulder strips 16a and 180 which extend to the neckline of the garment and are joined intermediate chest and back panels, the selected width of strips 16a and 18a determining shoulder size. The other panel sections 17 and 19 are joined to a chest panel with seams 27 which extend from a point of juncture with seams and to a point of intersection with side seam 23. Panel section 17 and 19 are also connected to a kidney panel and a shoulder portion of the back panel by seams 28. It is to be further noted that each pair of panel sections 16, 17 and 18, 19 are cut on an angular bias which, when joined by spaced, helical like extending seams 25 and 26, cause the panel sections to be wrapped in helical like fashion relative to the arm of a person wearing the jacket whereby the sleeves more nearly conform to the arm of the wearer.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and each of such changes is contempleted.

What is claimed is:

1. In an underwater jacket including a plurality of body panel sections and a pair of sleeves, the improvement comprising; each said sleeve including a pair of panel sections cut on an angular bias extending the full length of the sleeve; and spaced seams joining each said pair of sleeve panel sections and extending in generally helical like fashion along the full length of the sleeve.

2. The underwater jacket of claim 1 wherein one of each said pair of sleeve panel sections includes an inte-- gral shoulder strip extending beyond the other of each said pair of sleeve panel sections; and seam means interconnecting each said shoulder strip with a plurality of said body panel sections.

3. An underwater jacket adapted for fabrication from a plurality of substantially identical panel sections and additional panel sections of variable size for controlling garment size and fit, comprising: a back panel having integrally formed neck, shoulder and spinal portions respectively delimited in part by neck, shoulder and spinal edge portions; a pair of chest panels each delimited in part by neck, shoulder and side edge portions; a pair of kidney panels each delimited in part by spinal and side edge portions; a pair of sleeves, each sleeve comprising a pair of panel sections cut on an angular bias extending the full length of the sleeve; spaced seams joining each said pair of sleeve panel sections and extending in helical like fashion along the full length of the sleeve; one of each said pair of sleeve panel sections including an integral shoulder strip extending beyond the other of said pair of sleeve panel sections; seam means interconnecting each said shoulder strip with the neck and shoulder edge portions of said back panel and the neck and shoulder edge portions of each said chest panel; and seam means interconnecting the spinal edge portions and the side edge portions of each said kidney panel with a respective spinal edge portion of said back panel and a side edge portion of said chest panel.

4. A method of fabricating large and smaller size underwater jackets from a set of fixed dimension jacket panels dimensioned for the large size jackets and additional panels cut to size, comprising; providing one fixed dimension back panel dimensioned for a large size jacket, a pair of fixed dimension chest panels dimensioned for a large size jacket and blank material adapted to be cut to form a pair of kidney panels dimensioned for any of said large and smaller size jackets; cutting only said blank material to form kidney panels of a desired size; and interconnecting said panels to form a jacket whose variable girth size is determined only by the size of said kidney panels.

5. The method of claim 4 including providing a first pair of fixed dimension sleeve panels dimensioned for a large size arm and blank material adapted to be cut to form a second pair of sleeve panels dimensioned for the large or smaller size arms; cutting only said blank material to form said second pair of sleeve panels of a desired size; joining one of the first pair of sleeve panels with one of the second pair of sleeve panels to form one sleeve; joining the other of the first pair of sleeve panels with the other of the second pair of sleeve panels to form a second sleeve; and interconnecting said sleeves to said back, chest and kidney panels to form a jacket including sleeves whose girth size is determined only by the size of said second pair of sleeve panels. I

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of cutting said second pair of sleeve panels includes cutting the same on an angular bias.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the joining of said sleeve panels includes the step of forming spaced, helical like seams along the length of each sleeve.

8. A method of fabricating each of a plurality of different size, close fitting, underwater jackets using a single set of back and chest patterns and a plurality of kidvney panel patterns, comprising; cutting a waterproof,

material blank to form standard size back and chest panels substantially dimensionally identical with said mined only by the size of the kidney panels. 

1. In an underwater jacket including a plurality of body panel sections and a pair of sleeves, the improvement comprising; each said sleeve including a pair of panel sections cut on an angular bias extending the full length of the sleeve; and spaced seams joining each said pair of sleeve panel sections and extending in generally helical like fashion along the full length of the sleeve.
 2. The underwater jacket of claim 1 wherein one of each said pair of sleeve panel sections includes an integral shoulder strip extending beyond the other of each said pair of sleeve panel sections; and seam means interconnecting each said shoulder strip with a plurality of said body panel sections.
 3. An underwater jacket adapted for fabrication from a plurality of substantially identical panel sections and additional panel sections of variable size for controlling garment size and fit, comprising: a back panel having integrally formed neck, shoulder and spinal portions respectively delimited in part by neck, shoulder and spinal edge portions; a pair of chest panels each delimited in part by neck, shoulder and side edge portions; a pair of kidney panels each delimited in part by spinal and side edge portions; a pair of sleeves, each sleeve comprising a pair of panel sections cut on an angular bias extending the full length of the sleeve; spaced seams joining each said pair of sleeve panel sections and extending in helical like fashion along the full length of the sleeve; one of each said pair of sleeve panel sections including an integral shoulder strip extending beyond the other of said pair of sleeve panel sections; seam means interconnecting each said shoulder strip with the neck and shoulder edge portions of said back panel and the neck and shoulder edge portions of each said chest panel; and seam means interconnecting the spinal edge portions and the side edge portions of each said kidney panel with a respective spinal edge portion of said back panel and a side edge portion of said chest panel.
 4. A method of fabricating large and smaller size underwater jackets from a set of fixed dimension jacket panels dimensioned for the large size jackets and additional panels cut to size, comprising; providing one fixed dimension back panel dimensioned for a large size jacket, a pair of fixed dimension chest panels dimensioned for a large size jacket and blank material adapted to be cut to form a pair of kidney panels dimensioned for any of said large and smaller size jackets; cutting only said blank material to form kidney panels of a desired size; and interconnecting said panels to form a jacket whose variable girth size is determined only by the size of said kidney panels.
 5. The method of claim 4 including providing a first pair of fixed dimension sleeve panels dimensioned for a large size arm and blank material adapted to be cut to form a second pair of sleeve panels dimensioned for the large or smaller size arms; cutting only said blank material to form said second pair of sleeve panels of a desired size; joining one of the first pair of sleeve panels with one of the second pair of sleeve panels to form one sleeve; joining the other of the first pair of sleeve panels with the other of the second pair of sleeve panels to form a second sleeve; and interconnecting said sleeves to said back, chest and kidney panels to form a jacket including sleeves whose girth size is determined only by the size of said second pair of sleeve panels.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of cutting said second pair of sleeve panels includes cutting the same on an angular bias.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the joining of said sleeve panels includes the step of forming spaced, helical like seams along the length of each sleeve.
 8. A method of fabricating each of a plurality of different size, close fitting, underwater jackets using a single set of back aNd chest patterns and a plurality of kidney panel patterns, comprising; cutting a waterproof, material blank to form standard size back and chest panels substantially dimensionally identical with said single set of back and chest panel patterns; selecting one of said plurality of kidney panel paterns; cutting said material blank to form two kidney panels substantially, dimensionally identical with the selected one of said plurality of kidney panel patterns; and interconnecting said standard back and chest panels with said kidney panels to form a jacket whose girth is determined only by the size of the kidney panels. 